SC orders immediate transfer to Qimonda

Whether they like it or not, judges and court employees of Cebu City will have to transfer to the Qimonda IT Center at the North Reclamation Area (NRA) immediately.

In a Dec. 9 memorandum Supreme Court Administrator Jose Midas Marquez ordered the transfer of all court workers and judges this month.

Marquez also ordered Cebu City Regional Trial Court Executive Judge Soliver Peras and Municipal Trial Court in Cities Executive Judge Francisco Seville to oversee the transfer of all courts and submit a report on or before Dec. 20.

The memorandum issued for “strict and immediate compliance” orders the transfer “pending the signing of the lease agreement between the Supreme Court (SC) and Qimonda Holdings Inc.”

“Considering the urgency of the situation and the risk the judges and court personnel must contend with as they are presently housed under makeshift tents and are thus exposed to the elements, all concerned judges and court personnel are enjoined to transfer immediatdly to Qimonda I.T. Center, Sergio Osmena Blvd., Cebu City and thereafter begin with the regular operations of the court,” Marquez said.

However, some judges and court officers in Cebu City will meet this afternoon to discuss security concerns about the transfer.

Several employees fear the building is not safe and that its location in the pier area is farther away from the Palace of Justice and exposes them to holdups when they walk outside to jeepney stops.

In a letter to fellow judges, RTC Judge Sylvia Aguirre-Paderanga of Branch 16 said several issues about the transfer still need to be discussed

RTC Judge Meinrado Paredes of Branch 13 cited some of the concerns, including visible cracks in the walls and the buiding’s small windows.

“It’s like an oven inside. Also, there are several big trucks that pass outside the building. Our employees will also have to take more jeepney rides in going there. Our employees fear snatchers in that area and eateries are quite far,” he said.

Reconsideration

Paredes said he would rather continue staying in tents for now.

“I believe that almost all, especially employees, don’t want to transfer to Qimonda,” he said.

But RTC Judge Ramon Daomilas of Branch 11 said he has to follow the order of the court administrator.

“On my part, I will transfer to Qimonda because there’s that order from the court administrator. That’s it. He’s the boss. Are you trying to overpower the court administrator? I don’t think so,” he said.

Daomilas suggested to protestors to seek the reconsideration of Marquez.

“It was decided upon by the Hall of Justice committee of the Supreme Court. I don’t think they are stupid enough to transfer us to Qimonda (and compromise our safety),” he said.

Daomilas, however, said that valid concerns raised by court employees and judges should be addressed.

Judge Peras earlier said he plans to arrange for city-owned Kaohsiung Buses to ferry court personnel from different places in Cebu to the Qimonda IT Center.

Peras is also coordinating with the Cebu Ports Authority and the Cebu City Traffic Management to address accessibility.